Brother Bob Farkas
Sisters & Brothers,
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of brother Bob Farkas . He passed in Sudbury, Ontario, on October 28, 2021.
Bob was a well-respected Locomotive Engineer who keep you well informed & well fed. Bob genuinely cared about the people he worked with and is remembered fondly by those of us that were lucky enough to have shared a locomotive cab or bunkhouse kitchen with him.
On behalf of the members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
Division 295 we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the
Farkas Family. We too will miss Bob and we share your pain and loss.
Obituary
What would Bob want? He would want us to keep this not too
maudlin and maybe throw in some references to hunting and fishing. In
honour of that, we are very saddened to announce his passing at Health
Sciences North (HSN) Sudbury, Ontario, on October 28, 2021. Just before
hunting season.
Bob
was the very loving husband, partner and champion of his wife of 41
years, Brenda Leuschen Farkas. Predeceased by his parents, Antal and
Katalin Farkas and his mother-in-law Hilda Leuschen, he is survived by
his dear sister Kathy Hancock (Craig) of British Colombia. Also deeply
mourning his passing, and going to miss his irreverent humour and great
stories, are his in-laws and fellow out-laws, Don Leuschen (Michelle
Marcoux), Susan Leuschen (Gary Choy) and Allan Leuschen (Magdalena
Perez), along with his many valued friends, old and new. Uncle Bob will
be greatly missed by his nieces Kyra (David), Jasmine (Jordan) and
Valerie (Jeremy), his nephews Karl (Martha), Damon (Danica) and Ivan,
and his great-nieces and great-nephews.
Bob spent his career with CP Rail, in the Toronto Yard. Over a
period of 38 years he went from a diesel machinist, to brakeman, then
conductor and ultimately became a locomotive engineer. He felt fortunate
to have worked at a job he loved. Bob was also an ardent outdoorsman,
always happiest out in the bush or on the water, frequently riding or
rescuing his Argo. He loved to observe and share his knowledge of nature
with others. In 2015, Bob retired to their lake home in Northern
Ontario, but he did not slow down. He restored his beloved 1982 Toyota
Land Cruiser and built and organized a well-tooled shop, where he
enjoyed tinkering on a multitude of projects. Bob’s shop and the
continuously-stoked wood stove became a magnet for social gatherings
with neighbours.
Bob was thrilled to fulfill a dream to drive the Alaska/Dempster
Highway, first on a solo trip in 2018 and then in 2019 with Don, where
they dipped their hands in the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk. And yes, he
drank the Sourtoe Cocktail in Dawson City.
Many thanks to the HSN staff, including the incredible team in the
Intensive Rehabilitation Unit (IRU), the Geriatric Outpatient Program
and the Independence Centre and Network (ICAN). Special mentions go to
Dr. Mike Franklyn, who generously shared his vast knowledge and
experience of post-stroke rehabilitation, Vineet Johnson and his team at
IRegained Inc., Julie Vaughan-Graham of Physio-Logic and Hilary Deverell
of Neuro North Physiotherapy. Following his stroke in February, this
incredible group supported Bob as he determinedly worked to regain his
independence with his fierce work ethic, all the while maintaining his
positive attitude and sense of humour. A special thank you goes to Don
and Michelle who supported Brenda so she could support Bob.
His lovely hazel eyes were donated to the Trillium Gift of Life
Network.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food
bank. Bob loved to feed people.
There will be no service, but please raise a glass in his memory.
As well, condolences, photos and any great stories you might want to
share of Bob can be emailed to
bobfarkas.remembrances@gmail.com.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Lougheed Funeral Home, Sudbury.